Intelligence given me, by Captain Francis Grant Gordon of His Majesty's Ship Argo Vizt 7h October 1775
During the time I stopped in St Pierres Bay, Martinique, to take up the Pomonas anchors and Cables Information was given me; that a Sloop belonging to Englishmen was then taking in Powder and other Warlike Stores, the Lieutenant went to examine her, and found an Englishman, who he supposed to be the Master, and four other Englishmen weighing the anchor, on his entrance a boat was sent for the Master but no one knew his name, they all seemed confused, and being asked for Pen and Ink to take the Sloops Name, the Man supposed to be the Master, said the Vessel was called the Betsey, that he came Mate of her from America, but that a new Master was appointed, whose Name he did not know, but believed it was something like Francois, he could not tell where she belonged to or where bound when a Frenchman came on board, said he was the Master, and flew into a violent passion for the Sloop being boarded, as he said she was a French Vessel (tho' no Insult was offered to any on board) and produced a Receipt in English, for a Vessel called the William and James of an old Date but refused shewing any other Papers relating to the Sloop, on which a Mate and two Men were left on board, with Orders not to meddle with any thing til the Lieutenant returned, who was sent to take the Men out of the Sloop and wait on the Govrenor of Port St Piere on the Island of Martinique to acquaint him with the particular circumstances that had happened and desire his permission to seize the Sloop, as she was taking in Powder and Arms for the Rebels in America, but the Governor refused hearing the Lieutenant, and said he would sell the Americans Powder, Arms, or any thing else they wanted, under the nose of any Englishman of War and desired the Argo would leave the Port immediately, and if any Englishman of War ever dared to board any Ship in that Port whether English or not, he would order the Forts to fire at, and sink them if possible.2
Benjamin Brown Master of the Edward, another American Sloop then in St Pierres Bay (laughing) said he was to have a French Master, to take in Powder and Arms for Ameri[ca] but wished that trade was over said, he spoke with the Spy Sloop at Sea with a Fleet of Transports bound to Rhode Island or Connecticut
a true Copy
